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Act 1, Scene 2 — The Same. A room of state in Timon’s house
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Hautboys playing loud music. A great banquet served in, Flavius and
others attending; and then enter Lord Timon, the Senators, the
Athenian Lords, Alcibiades, and Ventidius, which Timon redeemded from
prison. Then comes, dropping after all, Apemantus, discontentedly, like
himself.
VENTIDIUS ≋ verse [grateful, a bit awkward returning kindness he once needed]

Most honoured Timon,

It hath pleased the gods to remember my father’s age

And call him to long peace.

He is gone happy and has left me rich.

Then, as in grateful virtue I am bound

To your free heart, I do return those talents,

Doubled with thanks and service, from whose help

I derived liberty.

My most honored Timon, the gods have graciously remembered my father in his old age and called him to a peaceful rest. He departed contentedly and left me wealthy. So in grateful repayment for your generosity, I return these talents to you, doubled with thanks and service, since it was your help that freed me.

My lord, the gods were kind to my father in his final years and let him die happy — and he left me rich. So I'm giving these talents back to you, doubled. It's the least I can do, since you're the one who saved me when I needed it.

my father died happy he left me rich so i'm giving back what you gave me doubled it's only fair

TIMON ≋ verse [dismissive of repayment — doesn't believe in transactional friendship]

O, by no means,

Honest Ventidius. You mistake my love.

I gave it freely ever, and there’s none

Can truly say he gives if he receives.

If our betters play at that game, we must not dare

To imitate them; faults that are rich are fair.

No, absolutely not, honest Ventidius. You misunderstand my love. I gave freely and always have — and there's no one who can truly say they give if they're expecting something back in return. If the rich and powerful play that game, we shouldn't dare imitate them. The wealthy can afford their faults; theirs look fine.

No way, Ventidius. You've got me wrong. I gave that money to you because I wanted to, no strings attached. Anyone who gives with the expectation of getting paid back isn't really giving at all. Yeah, the rich people do that constantly — turn charity into a business. But we shouldn't copy that.

i gave it freely no repayment true generosity means no return the rich can afford their games we can't

VENTIDIUS [admiring, sincere praise]

A noble spirit!

What a noble heart!

Now that's real nobility.

now that's noble

TIMON ≋ verse [expansive, convinced that ceremony is for hollow people]

Nay, my lords, ceremony was but devised at first

To set a gloss on faint deeds, hollow welcomes,

Recanting goodness, sorry ere ’tis shown;

But where there is true friendship there needs none.

Pray, sit, more welcome are ye to my fortunes

Than my fortunes to me.

No, my lords, ceremony was only invented in the first place to polish weak deeds, to cover hollow welcomes, to retract goodness after it's shown its face. But where there is true friendship, none of that is needed. Please, sit down — my fortunes welcome you more than you welcome my fortunes.

Look, my lords, ceremony was invented to make bad behavior look good — to cover up fake kindness and excuses. But real friendship doesn't need any of that garbage. Sit down. You being here means more to me than anything I own.

ceremony's for fake people with fake friendships true friendship needs nothing you matter more than my stuff

[_They sit._]
FIRST LORD [agreeable, generic flattery]

My lord, we always have confessed it.

My lord, we have always acknowledged it.

Of course, my lord. We've always known that about you.

we always have sir

APEMANTUS [mocking, cynical laugh at the flattery]

Ho, ho, confessed it? Hanged it, have you not?

Ha, acknowledged it? Hanged it, more like — haven't you denied it?

Right, acknowledged it? More like you hung it out to dry while pretending you didn't know what he was doing.

acknowledged? more like you pretended not to see

TIMON [dismissive, trying to move past Apemantus's sourness]

O Apemantus, you are welcome.

Apemantus, you are welcome.

Apemantus, glad you're here.

welcome

APEMANTUS ≋ verse [defiant, refusing comfort, performing his own exile]

No,

You shall not make me welcome.

I come to have thee thrust me out of doors.

No, you won't make me welcome. I've come to have you throw me out of doors.

No, don't bother. I'm here so you can kick me out.

don't make me welcome i came here to be thrown out

TIMON ≋ verse [exasperated but indulgent, convinced Apemantus's anger is just his nature]

Fie, thou’rt a churl, ye’ve got a humour there

Does not become a man; ’tis much to blame.

They say, my lords, _ira furor brevis est_,

But yond man is ever angry.

Go, let him have a table by himself,

For he does neither affect company,

Nor is he fit for it indeed.

Shame, you're a churl — you have a temperament that doesn't suit a man; it's quite wrong. They say, my lords, anger is a brief madness, but this man is always angry. Go, let him have his own table — he neither wants company nor is he fit for it.

Come on, you're just a grouch. That temper doesn't work for anyone. You know what they say — anger passes quick, but you? Always furious. Here, sit over there by yourself. You don't want people around anyway, and frankly, they don't want you around.

you're a churl anger that doesn't fit a man it's not your style sit alone you don't want us we don't want you

APEMANTUS ≋ verse [challenging, warning, insisting on his own alienation]

Let me stay at thine apperil, Timon.

I come to observe; I give thee warning on’t.

Let me stay at your own risk, Timon. I'm here to observe, and I give you warning of that.

Let me stay if you want to take the risk, Timon. I'm just here to watch and judge, and you've been warned.

let me stay if you dare i'm watching fair warning

TIMON [cheerful, dismissing Apemantus, generous to the point of excess]

I take no heed of thee. Thou’rt an Athenian, therefore, welcome. I

myself would have no power; prithee; let my meat make thee silent.

I pay you no mind. You're an Athenian, so you're welcome. I myself have no authority — please, let my food make you silent.

I don't care what you think. You're from Athens, so welcome. I have no real power — just eat and shut up.

i don't pay attention to you you're athenian so welcome let food do the talking

APEMANTUS [disgusted, paranoid about human nature, predicting the betrayal that will come]

I scorn thy meat, ’twould choke me, for I should ne’er flatter thee. O

you gods, what a number of men eats Timon, and he sees ’em not! It

grieves me to see so many dip their meat in one man’s blood; and all

the madness is, he cheers them up too.

I wonder men dare trust themselves with men.

Methinks they should invite them without knives.

Good for their meat, and safer for their lives.

There’s much example for ’t. The fellow that sits next him, now parts

bread with him, pledges the breath of him in a divided draft, is the

readiest man to kill him. ’T has been proved. If I were a huge man, I

should fear to drink at meals,

Lest they should spy my wind-pipe’s dangerous notes.

Great men should drink with harness on their throats.

I scorn your meat — it would choke me because I would never flatter you. Gods, what a number of men eat at Timon's table, and he doesn't see them for what they are! It grieves me to see so many dip their bread in one man's blood. And the worst part is, he cheers them on while they do it. I wonder how men dare trust each other at all. It seems to me they should invite each other without knives — that would be safer for their bodies and better for their food. There are many examples of this. The man sitting next to him right now shares bread and a drink with him, passing the cup between them from the same vessel — and he's the most likely man to kill him. It's been proven. If I were a big man, I'd be afraid to drink at meals for fear they'd see my throat, the place where my life flows. Great men should drink while wearing armor to protect their throats.

I wouldn't eat your food — it'd make me sick because I refuse to kiss up to you like these people do. Look at all these men eating at Timon's table — he doesn't understand what they actually are. It's disgusting watching them soak their bread in this guy's blood, basically. And he's buying their friendship while they plan his destruction. How do people trust each other at all? They should meet without weapons if they want to be safe. The guy sitting right next to him is probably his biggest threat. They're literally sharing wine, and that guy's the first one who'll turn on him — history proves it. If I were a big guy, I'd wear armor just to drink wine safely. Keep your throat protected.

i won't eat this i won't flatter you these men eat his blood and he cheers them on how can anyone trust anyone the man next to you will kill you wear armor when you drink

TIMON [affectionate, raising a toast, trying to enjoy the moment]

My lord, in heart, and let the health go round.

My lord, here's to your health — let it go around.

To your health, my lord. Drink up and pass it on.

to your health let it go around

SECOND LORD [friendly, echoing the toast]

Let it flow this way, my good lord.

Let it flow this way, my good lord.

Send it this way, my lord.

this way

APEMANTUS [mocking the excess, self-righteous, predicting collapse, his prayer is a parody of generosity]

Flow this way? A brave fellow! He keeps his tides well. Those healths

will make thee and thy state look ill, Timon.

Here’s that which is too weak to be a sinner,

Honest water, which ne’er left man i’ the mire.

This and my food are equals, there’s no odds.

Feasts are too proud to give thanks to the gods.

_Apemantus’ grace_

Immortal gods, I crave no pelf,

I pray for no man but myself.

Grant I may never prove so fond

To trust man on his oath or bond,

Or a harlot for her weeping,

Or a dog that seems a-sleeping,

Or a keeper with my freedom,

Or my friends if I should need ’em.

Amen. So fall to’t.

Rich men sin, and I eat root.

Flow this way? Brave fellow! He keeps the tides flowing well. These toasts will make your reputation and your wealth look bad, Timon. Here's this water — weak, too fragile to be sinful, honest water that has never left a man broke. This and my food are equals; there's no difference between them. Feasts are too proud to give thanks to the gods. This is Apemantus's grace: Immortal gods, I ask for no money, I pray for no one but myself. Grant that I never become so foolish As to trust a man on his oath or bond, Or a prostitute for her tears, Or a dog that just seems to sleep, Or a guard who promises me freedom, Or my friends if I should need them. Amen. Now go eat. Rich men sin, and I eat roots.

Flow this way? That's fancy. This guy really knows how to keep things moving. But Timon, all these toasts are going to wreck your reputation and bankrupt you. Meanwhile, here's water — pure, harmless, it'll never hurt anyone. Same as my food. That's all I need. These fancy feasts are too self-important to even thank the gods. So here's my prayer: Gods, I don't want money. I pray only for myself. Never let me be dumb enough To trust anybody's word or deal, Or any woman's tears, Or a lazy dog, Or a jailer, Or my own friends when I'm in trouble. Amen. Now eat. Rich men steal and lie, I just eat dirt.

these toasts will wreck you timon water is purer than wine feasts are too proud to give thanks gods grant i never trust no bonds no tears no friends no one rich men sin i eat roots

[_He eats and drinks._]
Much good dich thy good heart, Apemantus!
TIMON [teasing, acknowledging the soldier's divided loyalties]

Captain Alcibiades, your heart’s in the field now.

Captain Alcibiades, your heart is out on the battlefield now.

Alcibiades, you're thinking about war, not this party.

your heart's in the field not here

ALCIBIADES [flattering, pledging loyalty]

My heart is ever at your service, my lord.

My heart is always at your service, my lord.

My heart's yours always, my lord.

always at your service

TIMON [playful, light jab about Alcibiades's preference for conflict over friendship]

You had rather be at a breakfast of enemies than a dinner of friends.

You would rather attend a breakfast surrounded by enemies than a dinner surrounded by friends.

You'd take war with enemies over a meal with friends any day.

enemies at breakfast beats friends at dinner

ALCIBIADES [eager, boastful about war kills, crude appetite]

So they were bleeding new, my lord, there’s no meat like ’em. I could

wish my best friend at such a feast.

When they're fresh from bleeding, my lord, there's no meat like it. I could wish my best friend were here at such a feast.

Fresh from the battlefield, my lord — that's the best food. I'd want my best friend here for this kind of meal.

bleeding fresh that's the best meat wish my best friend was here for this

APEMANTUS [twisted wish — Apemantus sarcastically wishes these friends would turn on him so they could be destroyed]

Would all those flatterers were thine enemies then, that then thou

mightst kill ’em, and bid me to ’em.

If only all those flatterers of yours were your enemies instead — then you could kill them and invite me to that feast.

I wish all these ass-kissers were enemies so you could kill them and we could feast on them instead.

wish these flatterers were your enemies so you could kill them and feed them to me

FIRST LORD [pleading, wanting to prove devotion through action]

Might we but have that happiness, my lord, that you would once use our

hearts, whereby we might express some part of our zeals, we should

think ourselves for ever perfect.

If we only had the luck that you would once command us with your needs — so we might show part of our zeal — we would think ourselves forever blessed.

If you'd just let us do something for you, my lord — give us a chance to show how loyal we are — we'd feel perfect.

let us do something for you let us show how devoted we are

TIMON [euphoric, deeply emotional, his philosophy of friendship at its peak — also deeply naive]

O, no doubt, my good friends, but the gods themselves have provided

that I shall have much help from you. How had you been my friends else?

Why have you that charitable title from thousands, did not you chiefly

belong to my heart? I have told more of you to myself than you can with

modesty speak in your own behalf. And thus far I confirm you. O you

gods, think I, what need we have any friends if we should ne’er have

need of ’em? They were the most needless creatures living, should we

ne’er have use for ’em, and would most resemble sweet instruments hung

up in cases, that keep their sounds to themselves. Why, I have often

wished myself poorer that I might come nearer to you. We are born to do

benefits, and what better or properer can we call our own than the

riches of our friends? O, what a precious comfort ’tis to have so many,

like brothers, commanding one another’s fortunes. O joy’s e’en made

away ere’t can be born! Mine eyes cannot hold out water, methinks. To

forget their faults, I drink to you.

No doubt about it, my good friends. The gods themselves have arranged that I will have much help from you. How would you be my friends otherwise? Why would you have that charitable title from thousands if you didn't chiefly belong in my heart? I've spoken to myself more of you than you can modestly speak in your own defense. And I confirm you in this. Gods, I think, what need would we have for friends if we were never in need of them? They would be the most pointless creatures alive if we never used them — they'd just be like beautiful instruments locked in boxes, keeping their sounds to themselves. Why, I've often wished I were poorer so I could be closer to you. We are born to give benefits, and what better wealth can we call our own than the riches of our friends? O what a precious gift it is to have so many like brothers, each commanding the other's fortunes! Joy's escaping before it's even born! My eyes cannot hold back tears. To forgive their faults, I drink to you.

No question, my friends. The gods made sure I'd need you. Otherwise, how would you be my friends? Why'd you have that reputation for kindness from hundreds of people if you weren't my closest people? I've bragged about you guys more than you'd ever brag about yourselves. And I stand by it. Think about it — what good are friends if we never need anything from them? They'd just be pointless. Like violins locked in boxes, just sitting there, not making sound. I've wished I was poor so I could get closer to you. We're built to give, and what's better wealth than having rich friends? What a blessing to have so many brothers who share everything. Joy comes and goes before you can even catch it. Tears are coming. To forget what's wrong with you, here's to you.

i need you to be my friends what else are friends for if not to need else they're just boxes locked instruments i wish i was poor to be close to you your wealth is my wealth bros sharing everything my eyes water

APEMANTUS [contemptuous, watching Timon cry and mocking the transaction]

Thou weep’st to make them drink, Timon.

You're crying to make them drink, Timon.

You're shedding tears so they'll get drunk.

tears to make them drink

SECOND LORD ≋ verse [moved, mirroring Timon's emotion awkwardly]

Joy had the like conception in our eyes

And, at that instant like a babe sprung up.

Joy had the same thought in our eyes and sprang up at that moment like a newborn baby.

Joy hit us the same way — we all got teary at the same time, like babies being born.

same joy in our eyes born like a baby

APEMANTUS [cackling, mocking the fake tears and false emotions]

Ho, ho! I laugh to think that babe a bastard.

Ha! I laugh to think that baby is a bastard.

Ha! That newborn joy is a bastard — born from nothing real.

that baby is a bastard fake joy

THIRD LORD [flattering but awkward, moved by Timon's emotional display]

I promise you, my lord, you moved me much.

I promise you, my lord, you moved me greatly.

My lord, you really got to me.

you moved me my lord

APEMANTUS [scoffing, one-word mockery of the lord's flattery]

Much!

Much!

Much! Right.

much

[_A tucket sounds._]
TIMON [curious, distracted from the feast]

What means that trump?

What does that trumpet mean?

What's that trumpet?

trumpet?

Enter a Servant.
How now?
SERVANT [formal, delivering news]

Please you, my lord, there are certain ladies most desirous of

admittance.

If you please, my lord, there are certain ladies who very much wish to be admitted.

My lord, there are some ladies asking to come in.

ladies want in

TIMON [interested, asking what they want]

Ladies? What are their wills?

Ladies? What do they want?

Ladies? What's their business?

ladies what

SERVANT [formal, explaining Cupid's role]

There comes with them a forerunner, my lord, which bears that office,

to signify their pleasures.

There comes before them a herald, my lord, who carries that role — to announce their desires.

They've sent a herald ahead to tell you what they want.

they sent a herald to say what they want

TIMON [welcoming, eager to add more pleasure]

I pray, let them be admitted.

I ask that they be admitted.

Let them come in.

admit them

[_Exit Servant._]
Enter Cupid.
CUPID ≋ verse [triumphant, presenting the masque of sensual pleasures, flattering Timon]

Hail to thee, worthy Timon, and to all

That of his bounties taste! The five best senses

Acknowledge thee their patron and come freely

To gratulate thy plenteous bosom. There

Taste, touch, all, pleased from thy table rise;

They only now come but to feast thine eyes.

Hail to you, worthy Timon, and to all who taste your gifts! The five senses themselves acknowledge you as their patron and come freely to celebrate your generous heart. They are satisfied by taste, touch, everything from your table. Now they come only to feast your eyes.

Greetings, noble Timon, and all who enjoy your gifts! The five senses themselves say you're their god and come to celebrate how generous you are. They've eaten and drunk their fill. Now we're here for the show.

hail to you worthy timon the five senses celebrate you feast your eyes

TIMON [generous, opening his house to more pleasure]

They’re welcome all, let ’em have kind admittance.

They're all welcome. Give them gracious welcome.

Welcome them all. Treat them well.

welcome treat them well

Music, make their welcome!
FIRST LORD [flattering, pointing out his popularity]

You see, my lord, how ample you’re beloved.

You see, my lord, how greatly you are beloved.

See how much people love you, my lord?

you're so loved

Music. Enter a masque of Ladies as Amazons, with lutes in their hands,
dancing and playing.
APEMANTUS ≋ verse [furious contempt, prophetic vision of human betrayal and mortality]

Hoy-day!

What a sweep of vanity comes this way.

They dance? They are madwomen.

Like madness is the glory of this life,

As this pomp shows to a little oil and root.

We make ourselves fools to disport ourselves,

And spend our flatteries to drink those men

Upon whose age we void it up again

With poisonous spite and envy.

Who lives that’s not depraved or depraves?

Who dies that bears not one spurn to their graves

Of their friend’s gift?

I should fear those that dance before me now

Would one day stamp upon me. ’T has been done.

Men shut their doors against a setting sun.

What a wave of vanity comes this way! They're dancing? They're mad. This is what madness is — the glory of life — that this grand pomp is just like a little oil and root. We make ourselves fools so we can have fun. We spend our flattery on those men we'll later vomit upon with poisonous hatred and envy. Who lives that isn't either corrupted or corrupts others? Who dies and isn't spurned by their friends' gifts? I'd fear those who dance before me now would one day trample me. It's happened before. Men close their doors on the setting sun.

What a parade of vanity! Look at them dancing — they're insane. This is what life's glory really is — pomp that adds up to nothing, oil and dirt. We turn ourselves into clowns for entertainment. We flatter these guys, and later we vomit our hatred and envy all over them. Nobody's clean. Everyone either gets corrupted or corrupts. And your friends' gifts become curses when you die. These dancers now? They'll stamp on me when I'm down. It happens. Everyone shuts the door when the sun's setting.

vanity madwomen dancing glory is nothing we're fools flattery becomes hate every person depraved friends become enemies dancers will trample you setting sun doors close

[_The Lords rise from table, with much adoring of Timon, and to show
their loves each singles out an Amazon, and all dance, men with women,
a lofty strain or two to the hautboys, and cease._]
TIMON ≋ verse [charming, crediting the women with enhancing the party]

You have done our pleasures much grace, fair ladies,

Set a fair fashion on our entertainment,

Which was not half so beautiful and kind.

You have added worth unto ’t and lustre,

And entertained me with mine own device.

I am to thank you for ’t.

You have honored our pleasure greatly, fair ladies. You've set a fine example for our entertainment, which was not even half as beautiful and kind before. You've added value and brilliance to it, and you've entertained me with what was already mine. I must thank you for it.

Ladies, you've made this party so much better. You've given it style and grace that it didn't have before. You've made it beautiful and kind. You brought something special to what I already had. I owe you thanks.

you honored this party gave it grace and beauty made it shine more than it had i thank you

FIRST LADY [modest, deflecting praise]

My lord, you take us even at the best.

My lord, you're seeing us at our best.

My lord, you're catching us at our best.

at our best

APEMANTUS [crude, mocking their modesty about their worst selves]

Faith, for the worst is filthy and would not hold taking, I doubt me.

Truly, for the worst — it's filthy and wouldn't bear examination, I suspect.

Actually, at your worst you're pretty gross and wouldn't survive inspection.

at your worst filthy wouldn't hold up

TIMON ≋ verse [hospitable, directing them to another area]

Ladies, there is an idle banquet attends you,

Please you to dispose yourselves.

Ladies, there is a leisurely feast waiting for you. Please, make yourselves comfortable.

There's a feast set up for you. Go enjoy yourselves.

feast waiting enjoy yourselves

ALL LADIES [gratefully accepting, leaving together]

Most thankfully, my lord.

Most gratefully, my lord.

Thank you, my lord.

thankfully

[_Exeunt Cupid and Ladies._]
TIMON [commanding, calling his steward]

Flavius!

Flavius!

Flavius!

flavius

FLAVIUS [attentive, ready to obey]

My lord?

My lord?

My lord?

yes sir

TIMON [eager to give more gifts]

The little casket bring me hither.

Bring me the small casket from here.

Get me that little box.

the casket

FLAVIUS ≋ verse [worried aside, foreseeing financial ruin, unable to speak his mind]

Yes, my lord. [_Aside_.] More jewels yet?

There is no crossing him in ’s humour;

Else I should tell him well, i’ faith, I should,

When all’s spent, he’d be crossed then, an he could.

’Tis pity bounty had not eyes behind,

That man might ne’er be wretched for his mind.

Yes, my lord. [Aside] More jewels? There's no stopping him when he's in this mood. Otherwise I should tell him straight — and I should — when it's all gone, he'd want to stop then, if he could. It's a shame that generosity doesn't have eyes looking behind, so that a man might never become wretched because of his nature.

Yes, sir. [Aside] More jewels? I can't argue with him when he's like this. I really should tell him the truth — I should — but when he's broke, he'll wish he could stop, only it'll be too late. Too bad generosity doesn't have hindsight, so men don't destroy themselves by being too kind.

more jewels i can't stop him i should tell him when it's gone he'll regret it if only generosity had eyes behind to prevent ruin

[_Exit._]
FIRST LORD [preparing to leave]

Where be our men?

Where are our servants?

Where are our men?

where's our staff

SERVANT [reporting readiness]

Here, my lord, in readiness.

Here, my lord, ready.

Here, sir, all set.

ready sir

SECOND LORD [eager to depart]

Our horses!

Our horses!

Get the horses!

horses

Enter Flavius with the casket.
TIMON ≋ verse [eager to give gifts, climax of his generosity]

O, my friends, I have one word

To say to you. Look you, my good lord,

I must entreat you, honour me so much

As to advance this jewel. Accept it and wear it,

Kind my lord.

My friends, I have one thing to say to you. Listen, my good lord, I must ask you to honor me by accepting this jewel. Take it and wear it, kind sir.

Wait, friends, one more thing. Good lord, please do me this honor — take this jewel and wear it. Please, sir.

one more thing my friends wear this jewel honor me

FIRST LORD [embarrassed, drowning in gifts, politely declining]

I am so far already in your gifts—

I'm already so deep in your gifts—

I'm already so full of your gifts—

already in your gifts

ALL [all agreeing, all drowning equally in gifts]

So are we all.

So are we all.

So are we all.

all of us

Enter a Servant.
SERVANT ≋ verse [announcing more visitors]

My lord, there are certain nobles of the Senate

Newly alighted and come to visit you.

My lord, there are certain senators who have just arrived and come to visit you.

My lord, some senators just got here to see you.

senators are here

TIMON [welcoming more guests]

They are fairly welcome.

They are most welcome.

They're welcome.

welcome

[_Exit Servant._]
FLAVIUS ≋ verse [desperate to get Timon's attention, serious matter]

I beseech your honour,

Vouchsafe me a word. It does concern you near.

I ask your honor, allow me a word. It concerns you nearly.

My lord, let me talk to you. It's important.

my lord can i speak it's urgent

TIMON ≋ verse [dismissive, distracted]

Near? Why then, another time I’ll hear thee.

I prithee let’s be provided to show them entertainment.

Near? Then another time I'll hear you. I ask that we're prepared to welcome them properly.

Not now. I'll listen later. Just make sure we treat them well.

not now later prepare entertainment

[_Aside_.] I scarce know how.
Enter another Servant.
SECOND SERVANT ≋ verse [pleased but distracted]

May it please your honour, Lord Lucius,

Out of his free love, hath presented to you

Four milk-white horses, trapped in silver.

I will accept them and use them with affection.

Wonderful. I'll put them to use.

i'll use them

TIMON ≋ verse [reporting more gifts]

I shall accept them fairly; let the presents

Be worthily entertained.

My lord, the noble Titinius sends you an ivory elephant.

My lord, Titinius sends an ivory elephant.

titinius sends elephant

[_Exit Servant._]
Enter a third Servant.
How now? What news?
THIRD SERVANT [more gift announcements]

Please you, my lord, that honourable gentleman, Lord Lucullus, entreats

your company tomorrow to hunt with him and has sent your honour two

brace of greyhounds.

My lord, the senators are presenting you with a gift themselves.

My lord, the senators have a gift for you too.

senators gift too

TIMON ≋ verse [amazed and humbled]

I’ll hunt with him; and let them be received,

Not without fair reward.

I am amazed by such generous friends! Each gift is more precious than the last.

This is overwhelming. All these generous friends!

so generous so much love

[_Exit Servant._]
[_Aside_.] What will this come to?
FLAVIUS ≋ verse [joyful agreement]

He commands us to provide, and give great gifts,

And all out of an empty coffer;

Nor will he know his purse or yield me this:

To show him what a beggar his heart is,

Being of no power to make his wishes good.

His promises fly so beyond his state

That what he speaks is all in debt; he owes

For every word. He is so kind that he now

Pays interest for ’t; his land’s put to their books.

Well, would I were gently put out of office

Before I were forced out.

Happier is he that has no friend to feed

Than such that do e’en enemies exceed.

I bleed inwardly for my lord.

We will drink to your happiness and health all night long!

To your health and joy all night!

all night to your joy

[_Exit._]
TIMON ≋ verse [profound cynicism, final condemnation]

You do yourselves much wrong,

You bate too much of your own merits.

Here, my lord, a trifle of our love.

Look at them! They gather like vultures. In a year they'll forget his name.

Watch them circle. A year from now they won't even remember him.

they gather like vultures will forget in a year

SECOND LORD [celebrating with others]

With more than common thanks I will receive it.

My lord's bounty knows no limits! To Timon!

No limit to his generosity! To Timon!

to timon

THIRD LORD [drunk enthusiasm]

O, he’s the very soul of bounty!

To our noble friend and patron!

To our noble Timon!

timon

TIMON [heartfelt gratitude, tears flowing]

And now I remember, my lord, you gave good words the other day of a bay

courser I rode on. ’Tis yours because you liked it.

I am not worthy of such friends. My life is complete.

I'm not worthy of you all. I'm so happy.

not worthy complete

THIRD LORD [mocking, alone]

O, I beseech you, pardon me, my lord, in that.

Complete? Wait until tomorrow.

Complete now. Wait.

just wait

TIMON ≋ verse [party still going, final toasts]

You may take my word, my lord. I know no man

Can justly praise but what he does affect.

I weigh my friend’s affection with mine own.

I’ll tell you true, I’ll call to you.

More wine! More food! Let this night never end!

Wine! Food! Let it never end!

never end this night

ALL LORDS [drunk agreement]

O, none so welcome!

Hear, hear! Timon, you are a god among men!

You're a god, Timon!

god among men

TIMON ≋ verse [final mockery]

I take all and your several visitations

So kind to heart, ’tis not enough to give;

Methinks I could deal kingdoms to my friends,

And ne’er be weary. Alcibiades,

Thou art a soldier, therefore seldom rich.

It comes in charity to thee, for all thy living

Is ’mongst the dead, and all the lands thou hast

Lie in a pitched field.

A god? No. Just a fool with money. Wait until the money's gone.

A god? Just a rich fool. When the money goes...

rich fool wait

ALCIBIADES [music and dancing resume]

Ay, defiled land, my lord.

Music! Let's dance!

Music! Dance!

music

FIRST LORD [everyone joining the celebration]

We are so virtuously bound—

Yes! Dance all night!

All night!

all night

TIMON [Timon reaching peak euphoria]

And so am I to you.

This is heaven on earth! With such friends, what can harm me?

This is perfect. Nothing can touch me with friends like these.

heaven nothing can hurt me

SECOND LORD [agreeing, false reassurance]

So infinitely endeared—

Never, my lord. We are always yours.

Never. We're yours forever.

always yours

TIMON [final prophecy, alone]

All to you. Lights, more lights!

Forever? Until the money runs out. Then they'll vanish like smoke.

Forever? Until he's broke. Then they disappear.

till money gone then vanish

FIRST LORD [final celebration, all joining]

The best of happiness, honour, and fortunes keep with you, Lord Timon.

Another toast! To the greatest man in Athens!

Another toast! To Timon!

to timon

TIMON [heartfelt affirmation]

Ready for his friends.

The greatest and most generous!

The greatest!

the greatest

[_Exeunt all but Apemantus and Timon._]
APEMANTUS ≋ verse [final celebration moment]

What a coil’s here!

Serving of becks and jutting out of bums!

I doubt whether their legs be worth the sums

That are given for ’em. Friendship’s full of dregs.

Methinks false hearts should never have sound legs.

Thus honest fools lay out their wealth on curtsies.

Let the feast continue! Let no one go hungry!

Keep feasting! Never stop!

keep feasting

TIMON ≋ verse [all raising cups one more time]

Now, Apemantus, if thou wert not sullen,

I would be good to thee.

To Timon! Forever!

To Timon!

timon

APEMANTUS [final affirmation]

No, I’ll nothing, for if I should be bribed too, there would be none

left to rail upon thee, and then thou wouldst sin the faster. Thou

giv’st so long, Timon, I fear me thou wilt give away thyself in paper

shortly. What needs these feasts, pomps, and vainglories?

Forever and ever! Blessed be Timon!

Forever! God bless him!

forever

TIMON [last bitter prophecy]

Nay, an you begin to rail on society once, I am sworn not to give

regard to you. Farewell, and come with better music.

Blessed? No. Cursed by his own heart.

Blessed? He's cursed by himself.

cursed by himself

[_Exit._]
APEMANTUS ≋ verse [final joyful agreement]

So. Thou wilt not hear me now, thou shalt not then.

I’ll lock thy heaven from thee.

O, that men’s ears should be

To counsel deaf, but not to flattery!

Yes! Yes! This is paradise!

Paradise!

paradise

[_Exit._]

The Reckoning

If this happened today…

Continue to 2.1 →